Posted 07 Sep 2011
The Guinness Jazz Festival, held every October in Cork, Ireland is the country’s largest jazz event. A lot older than the Cork Food festival as this has been running every year for more than three decades, the festival has been attracting hundreds of musicians and tens of thousands of music lovers from around the world to this southern Ireland city. It has even become what many consider to be one of the greatest celebrations of jazz music anywhere, if you are planning on attending and need a hotel, check out the
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The 2011 festival is scheduled to take place between October 28 and the 31st and will feature contemporary jazz greats such as the Kyle Eastwood Quintet, Richard Galliano, and the Tia Fuller Quartet performing in venues throughout Cork. In addition to such anticipated performances, a weeklong celebration called the Big Jazz Fringe is also being held during the days leading up and during the main event. A compliment to the Guinness Jazz Festival, the Big Jazz Fringe features a variety of unforgettable events such as a jazz food fair, circus, and several live performances. There will even be an open jam session held by Paul Dunlea at the Crane Lane Theatre on the 31st. The Guinness Jazz Festival will also feature a jazz camp, held at the Cork School of Music from October 27th through the 29th. Hosted by jazz great Bobby Watson, the camp is open to musicians of all skill levels, and will offer workshops, classes, and performances, all free of charge. As if all this isn’t enough, the festival also features a number of competitions where amateur musicians can showcase their own musical talent in front of a live audience.
Tickets to the Guinness Jazz Festival’s many concerts and events are on sale and can be purchased online or at the event itself. A wide variety of hotels and accommodations with easy access to the festival are also available throughout Cork and should be booked well in advance if possible.
